Latch means for folding eyeglasses



P 10, 1935- v. TANASSO El AL 2,014,092

LATCH MEANS FOR FOLDING EYEGLASSES Filed Aug. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNvENTols yincerzl 76 020660 8/ Zealffimrmz;

ATTORNEY Sept. 10, 1935. v. TANASSO ET AL 2,014,092

LATCH MEANS FOR FOLDING EYEGLASSES Filed Aug. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ATTbRNEY Patented Sept. 10, I935 UNWED STATES FATENT OFFIE Vincent Tanasso, Harrison, and Jacob J. Pomeranz, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 16,

7 Claims.

lhis invention relates, generally, to improve ments in eyeglass frames of the foldable type; and

the invention has ref rence, more particularly, to-

improved means for releasably retaining such frames in folded condition.

This invention has for its principal object to provide a novel means for releasably latching a foldable eyeglass frame in folded condition; said means comprising cooperable interengaging parts,

one of which is carried by one lens rim and the other of which is associated with a compressible handle means carried by the other lens rim, whereby manipulation of the cooperating latch parts is effected by expansion and contraction of the handle means.

This invention has for a further object to provide a releasable latch means and cooperating compressible handle means which affords a very neat and pleasing appearance; and which, for

I functional purposes, eliminates hinge pins, springs and other separate parts, thereby reducing assembling operations to a minimum, and so simplifying the construction that not only is cost of pro-' duction materially decreased, but in use likelihood of breakage or disturbance of functioning elements is substantially avoided.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. l is an inside or rear face view of a foldable eyeglass frame having one form of the novel I releaseable latch means according to this invention, the frame being therein shown in its open or unfolded condition; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the frame in folded and latched condition; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View, in

7 part section, showing the compressible handle means and latching elements associated therewith; 4 an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, taken on line 44 in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the shaped blank from which the aforesaid handle means and associated latch elements are formed; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View showing a modified form of male latch element; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view similarv to that of Fig. l, but showing a somewhat modified form of compressible handle means.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are respectively perspective views, in part section, showing various modifications of the compressible handle means and associated latching elements.

1934, Serial No. 740,136

Fig. 11 is a rear face view of a foldable eyeglass f1 l me in open condition and equipped with another form of the novel latching means according to this invention; Fig. 12 is a corresponding view of the same frame in folded and latched condi- 5 tion; Fig. 13 is an enlarged transverse section, taken on line l3-l3 in Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, taken on line [4-44 in Fig. 13'; Figs. 15 and 15 are respectively fragmentary views of modified forms of 10 male latch elements which may be employed in this modified form of latching means.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective of another form of compressible handle means and associated latch elements; Fig. 1'7 is a similar View 15 showing the handle means compressed for releasing the male latch element; and Fig. 18 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the male and female latching means in engaged relation.

Fig. 19 is a vertical longitudinal section of an- 20 other modified form of compressible handle means and associated latch elements, adapted for cooperation with a male latch element of the type shown in Fig. 15*.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the herein above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 20 indicates a complete eyeglass frame of the foldable or Oxford type, comprising a pair of rims 2| and 22 to support the respective lenses 23 and 24. Connecting said rims between their upper margins is a spring bridge 25, the same being joined at its respective ends to the respective rims by hinge connections comprising yokes 26 pivotally coupled by pintles 21 to abutments or knuckles 28 having the usual cooperating stop shoulders to limit upward pivotal movement of the rims relative to the ends of the bridge. Suitably mounted upon opposed lateral portions of the rims 2| and 22 are nose guard elements 29, as is customary.

One of the rims, as e. g. the rim 2! is provided with a male latch element, preferably comprising a radially projecting latch lug 38 having an enlarged head 3| at its free end.

Affixed to the other rim, as e. g. the rim 2 2, to project outwardly from the periphery thereof in a plane parallel to that of the rim, is a normally expanded compressible handle member. In one form, this handle member comprises a unitary structure formed from a metallic blank of the general arrangement and shape shown in Fig. 5; the same comprising a bottom section 32 and a top section 33-, the outer end portions of which are integrally joined one with the other. The blank is doubled upon itself at the point of juncture of the two sections, so that the top section 33 overlies the bottom section 32, with their free portions normally maintained yieldably divergent by the inherent springiness of the metal of which they are formed. The bottom section 32 is somewhat longer than the top section 33, and both sections are preferably stamped into shallow dished formation to provide the same respectively with side flanges 32 and 33. At its inner end, the bottom section 32 is provided with an upstanding end wall 36, which abuts and is suitably affixed to the periphery of the rim 22. Said end wall 34 terminates in an open ended transverse housing member 35, which is upwardly and outwardly off-set relative to the rim 22, and which is provided along the inner side and from end to end thereof with a slot-like opening or way 36. Formed in the body of said housing member at its rearward portion is a vertical slot or guideway 37. The inner end of said top section 33 terminates adjacent to said housing member 35, and is provided with an inwardly projecting tongue 33 which enters through said vertical slot or guideway 31 into the interior of said housing member. The free end of said tongue 38 is down-turned to form a stop lug 39. This stop lug normally extends vertically across the interior of said housing member 35, when said top section 33 is in normal expanded relation to said bottom section 32.

When the eyeglass frame, having the form of latch means above described, is to be folded and secured in its folded condition, the rim 2! and its lens is swung downwardly (in the direction of the arrow :1: in Fig. 1) and over the rear face of the rim 22 and its lens. When so doing, the latch-lug and its head 3| are carried exteriorly over and across the housing member 35, and then aligned with the far end of the latter, so that, when the rim 2| tends to move in the opposite direction under the urge of the tension of the bowed spring bridge 25, the head 3| will enter the interior of the housing member, while its shank 36 will move in the slot or guideway 3'! thereof, until the head 3| abuts the stop lug 39, whereupon further movement is arrested and the rim 2| and its lens will be stopped or latched in folded relation to the other rim 22 and its lens, as appears in Fig. 2. Inasmuch as the head 3| is preferably of greater diameter than the vertical width of the slot or guideway 31, any tendency of the draw outwardly from the interior of the housing member is prevented. An alternative to this arrangement is to provide a latch lug of the headless type shown in Fig. 6, and indicated by the reference character 30, in which case it is advisable to employ a rim backing stop 48 affixed to rim 22 and engageable by rim 2| when the latter is folded over the former, thereby preventing any retractive movement of rim 2| away from the handle side of rim 22. The use of this rim backing stop 40 may be desirable in any case, but its use is optional when the headed latch lug is employed with the type of housing member above described.

To release the rims from their thus folded and latched together relation, the handle member is grasped between the forefinger and thumb, and squeezing is exerted downwardly upon the expanded top section 33 of the handle member. Such pressure contracts the handle member vertically, i. e. causes the normally divergent top section 33 to move toward the bottom section 32.

In so doing, the tongue 38 and its stop lug 39 is depressed downwardly out of the interior of the housing member (see dotted lines in Fig. 4), thus removing the stop lug from obstructing the latch lug and its head 39-3|. With this obstruction removed, the tension of the spring bridge 25 will immediately urge onward the rim 2|, so that the latch lug and its head pass onwarcily through the housing member and its opening or way 36, escaping through the near end of the former, whereupon the rim 2| flies back to normal open or unfolded relation to the rim 22, and the eyeglasses resume normal unfolded condition, ready for use.

It will be obvious from the above description, that the construction is simple; involves no parts independently movable or pivoted relative to the handle; and depends for its functioning on the exceedingly structurally simple inherently elastic and compressible handle member per so; all of which is deemed of considerable novelty and advantage. While it is preferred, perhaps, to construct the handle member in the one-piece form shown in Figure 4 especially, it is, nevertheless, likewise possible to produce the top and bottom sections as separate elements, suitably secured together at their outer ends, as by soldering; in which case, the top section would possess sufficient inherent resiliency to assume its normal initial expanded relation to the bottom section when relieved of compressing force; as to such arrangement see Fig. '7.

Variations of the general principles underlying the novel construction and mode of operation involved in the instant invention, and above described as to one embodiment thereof, readily suggest themselves. Illustrative of some such possible variations, attention is directed to the remaining figures of the drawings.

In Fig. 8, the handle member comprises a bottom section 4| having upturned side ears or flanges 62 to embrace the free end of the compressible top section 43. The bottom section is suitably affixed by its inner end to the rim 22. The free end of the top section 43 is provided with an end wall 46, and preferably with side ears or flanges A5 telescopically interfitting between the side ears or flanges 42 of said bottom section 5|. Provided in the body of said top section G3, at its free end is an opening 46 conforming in shape to the head 35 and shank 3|] of the latch lug carried by rim 2|, and joining this opening but formed in the end wall 44 is a stop notch 41. In the use and manipulation of this form of the device, when the lens rims are folded together, then stop 3fl3| is brought into registration with the opening 16 and pushed downwardly thereinto, to engage the shank 39 of the latch lug in the stop notch 41, thereby arresting unfolding movement of the rims. To release the latch lug top section 43 is compressed relative to bottom section at by squeezing pressure, whereby the stop notch 4? is removed from holding engagement with the latch lug, which emerges upwardly through said opening 46, and thus escapes so as to permit unfolding movement of the rims.

In Fig. 9 there is shown an arrangement similar to that of Fig. 8, but providing a conformably shaped latch lug entrance opening 46 in the near side of the top section 43, through which the latch lug Sta-3| may be entered to engage the stop-notch M, and from which it may escape through the opening 46, when the top section 43 is compressed. Fig. 10 shows an arrangement corsaid housing member.

responding to that of Fig. 9, but with the side entrance opening 46' on the far side of the top section, instead of the near side, as in Fig. 8. The releasing action in both of these modified forms is the same as described in connection with the structure of said Fig. 8.

In Figs. 11 to i l inclusive, there is shown another modified form of latching means involving the general principles of this invention. In this modified arrangement the latch lug carried by rim 2i, preferably comprises an ear 68 having either the latch perforation 49 (Fig. 11) the latch notch lli (Fig. 15), or the latch shoulder 39" (Fig. 15 The compressible handle member and associated latch elements carried by rim 22, comprise a bottom section 56 with a top section 5| overlying the same and resiliently compressible relative thereto. The bottom section 58 is provided with the upwardly and outwardly offset housing member 52, which is open end to end and longitudinally open at 53, toward the rim. Provided in the wall of said housing member 52, intermediate its ends, is a vertical slot or guideway 5 The inner end of said top section 5i terminates adjacent to said housing member 52, and is provided with a downwardly projecting U-shaped tongue 55 which enters through said vertical slot or guideway 54 into the interior of The up-turned free end portion of said tongue 55 forms an upwardly projecting stop lug 5b, the extremity of which may be chamfered as shown in Fig. 13. Said stop lug 58 normally extends vertically across the interior of said housing member 52, when said top section EE is in normal expanded relation to said bottom section 553. When the rim 2i is swung over the rim in folding the eyeglass frame, the latch lug as is entered through the near end of the housing member 52, and pressed into engagement with the chamfered extremity of said stop lug 56, thereby causing the latter and the top section El of the handle member to yield downwardly until the latch perforation i9 or notch 49 aligns with said stop lug, or the shoulder 39" passes the latter, as the case may be, whereupon the resiliency of said top section all will cause the same to react, and the stop lug to engage the latch car 58 with latching or holding effect, thus securing the eyeglass frame in folded condition. To release the frame from this folded and latched condition, the handle member is grasped, and squeezing pressure exerted thereupon, so that the top section 5| is moved downwardly toward the bottom section 58. Such movement withdraws the stop lug 56 downwardly and out of engagement with the latch ear is, thereby freeing rim M for unfolding movement under the urge of bowed spring bridge 25.

In Figs. 16 to 18 inclusive another arrangement or form of compressible handle member with associated latch elements is shown. This form is adapted for use in cooperation with a latch lug of the shank and head type, indicated by the reference characters 3!! and M in the drawings. In this form, the handle member comprises a tapered hollow bottom section 5's, and a tapered hollow top section 58 which telescopically engages in said bottom section. Said bottom and top sections are resiliently joined together at their outer tapering ends by a spring-like jointure section 55, the tension of which normally tends to expand the sections divergently with relation one to the other. The bottom section 51 is provided with an end wall, the lower portion 66 of which is suitably affixed to the rim 22, and the upper portion 61 of which projects beyond the rear face plane of rim 22, being likewise offset laterally relative to said lower portion to provide an intermediate stop shoulder 62. The top section '58 is likewise provided with an end wall 63 slidably related to the upper portion 6! of the bottom section end wall. At its free edge, said top section end wall 52; is provided with a stop flange 64, which is engageable with said stop shoulder 62 to limit the outward expansion of said top section 523 relative to the bottom section 51. Provided in the near side wall of the bottom section ii? is a conformably shaped entrance opening 65 for passing the latch lug 393l sidewise therethrough, and formed in the upper portion BI of the bottom section end wall is guideway 66 terminating in an enlarged latch notch 61. In like manner, provided in the near side wall of the top section 58 is a conformably shaped entrance opening iii; for passing the latch 3ll3l sidewise therethrough, and formed in the end wall 63 of said top section is a guideway 69 terminating in an enlarged latch notch it. With this construction, when the rim 2! is swung over the rim 22, in folding the eyeglass frame, the handle member is compressed so as to move the top section 58 toward the bottom section 5'5, thus bringing the side entrance opening 68 of the former into registration with the side entrance opening 65 of the latter, and likewise aligning the guideway (is and latch notch is with the guideway 66 and 3s latch notch ill. With the parts thus disposed, the latch lug 3fi3l may be passed through the registered entrance openings, and thence through the align d guideways, until the shank is entered in the aligned notches 6'I'Nl (see Fig. 17) whereupon the handle member is released so that the top section 56 tends to spring away from the bottom section 5?, thereby relatively displacing the notches El-l@ so as to grip and hold the latch lug in the embrace thereof, and consequently latching the frame in desired folded condition (see Fig. 18). To release the frame for unfolding movement, the handle member is compressed to again bring the openings of the walls thereof into alignment, whereupon the latch lug can escape therefrom, as the rim 2| swings outwardly relative to rim 2! under the urge of the spring bridge.

Finally in Fig. 19 there is shown a very simple form of the invention, wherein the handle member comprises the lower section H and top section 12, the same being made of flat metal. A housing '13, more or less similar to those already described, is soldered or otherwise affixed to said bottom section H, to overhang the rim 22. This housing has a vertical slot F4 in its outer wall, 5 and through this slot projects, into the housing interior, a stop lug disposed in vertical plane, by twisting the same relative to the plane of the top section 13 from which it springs. It will be obvious that this stop lug may be displaced by compressing the handle member so as to permit inward passage thereby of a latch lug carried by rim 2 i, so that when the handle member resumes normal expanded condition outward passage of said latch lug is prevented, until the handle member is again compressed to remove the obstructing stop lug l5, and thus permit escape of the latch lug.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In eyeglass frames of the foldable type hav- 70 ing a pair of rims interconnected by yieldable spring means permitting them to move together into folded relation with one overlying the other and tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a handle means comprising a bottom section rigidly secured to the underlying rim and a resilient top section connected by its outer end to the outer end of said bottom section with its inner free end portion normally expanded by inherent resiliency in divergent relation to said bottom section subject to movement toward the latter by compression, a latch means carried by the overlying rim, and means at the free end of said top section for engaging said latch means, said engaging means being operatively maintained in holding engagement with said latch means by the aforesaid resilient expansion of said top section subject to release by compressing said top section toward said bottom section.

2. In eyeglass frames of the foldable type having a pair of rims interconnected by yieldable spring means permitting them to move together into folded relation with one overlying the other and tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a handle means comprising a bottom section rigidly secured to the underlying rim and a resilient top section connected by its outer end to the outer end of said bottom section with its inner free end portion normally expanded by inherent resiliency in divergent relation to said bottom section subject to movement toward the latter by compression, a latch projection extending from the periphery of the overlying rim, and a latch projection stop means at the free end of said top section, said stop means being operatively maintained in latch projection holding position by the aforesaid resilient expansion of said top section subject to release by compressing said top section toward said bottom section.

3. In eyeglass frames of the foldable type having a pair of rims interconnected by yieldable spring means permitting them to move together into folded relation with one overlying the other and tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a handle means comprising a bottom section rigidly secured to the underlying rim and a resilient top section connected by its outer end to the outer end of said bottom section with its inner free end portion normally expanded by inherent resiliency in divergent relation to said bottom section subject to movement toward the latter by compression, a latch projection extending from the periphery of said overlying rim, a housing at the inner end of said handle bottom section to receive said latch projection, and a stop means carried by said handle top section to normally intersect the path of movement of said latch projection into and out of said housing, said stop means being adapted to be moved out of the path of movement of said latch projection by compressing said handle top section toward said handle bottom section.

4. In eyeglass frames of the foldable type having a pair of rims interconnected by yieldable spring means permitting them to move together into folded relation with one overlying the other and tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a handle means comprising a bottom section rigidly secured to the underlying rim and a resilient top section connected by its outer end to the outer end of said bottom section with its inner free end portion normally expanded by inherent resiliency in divergent relation to said bottom section subject to movement toward the latter by compression, a latch projection extending from the periphery of the overlying rim, a fixed housing member at the inner end of said handle bottom section disposed in upwardly and outwardly offset relation to the periphery of said underlying rim, said housing member being open toward the latter rim and being adapted to receive said latch projection carried by the overlying rim, a latch engaging means angularly projecting from the free end portion of said handle top section and normally disposed within said housing member to intersect the path of movement of said latch projection, said housing member having a vertical opening to accommodate movement of said latch engaging means into and out of said housing member interior, and said latch engaging means being adapted to be disengaged from said latch projection by compressing said handle top section toward said handle bottom section.

5. In a foldable eyeglass frame, the rims of which are movable to lie one over the other and which are provided with means tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a compressible handle member comprising a bottom section affixed to one rim for outward extension from the periphery thereof and a resilient top section, said sections being connected at their outer ends whereby said top section is yieldably and divergently expanded by its inherent resiliency relative to the inner end portion of said bottom section, and a latch means carried by the other rim, the inner end portion of said handle top section having a holding opening to receive and engage said latch means, said latch means being released therefrom by compression of said top section toward said bottom section.

6. In a foldable eyeglass frame, the rims of which are movable to lie one over the other and which are provided with means tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a compressible handle member comprising a bottom section affixed to one rim for outward extension from the periphery thereof and a resilient top section, said sections being connected at their outer ends whereby said top section is yieldably and divergently expanded by its inherent resiliency relative to the inner end portion of said bottom section, and a latch means carried by the other rim, the inner end portion of said handle top section having a holding opening to engage said latch means and a passage communicating therewith to admit said latch means to said holding opening, said latch means being releaseable from said holding opening for escape through said passage by compressing said handle top section toward said handle bottom section.

7, In a foldable eyeglass frame, the rims of which are movable to lie one over the other and which are provided with means tending to unfold them to normal useful position, a compressible handle member comprising a bottom section anixed to one rim for outward extension from the periphery thereof and a resilient top section, said sections being connected at their outer ends 60 whereby said top section is yieldably and divergently expanded by its inherent resiliency relative to the inner end portion of said bottom section, and a latch means carried by the other rim, said handle top section having an end wall at its inner end provided with a latch means engaging notch, and said handle top section having passage means communicating with said notch, said latch means being releaseable from said notch for escape through said passage means by compressing said handle top section toward said handle bottom section.

VINCENT TANASSO.

JACOB J. POMERANZ. 

